This survey series studies Finnish public opinion on energy policy issues. The series was launched in 1983 at the University of Tampere, and was initially financed by the energy company Imatran Voima Oy (later known as the Fortum Corporation). Attitudes towards energy policy issues are studied by annual mail surveys. Comparative data allow detailed empirical analysis and systematic follow-up of citizen perceptions, opinions, beliefs, knowledge, values, and attitudes on these matters.
The surveys are jointly funded by the Fortum Corporation (Imatran Voima Oy until 1998) and Teollisuuden Voima Oy (TVO), and have been carried out by Yhdyskuntatutkimus Oy since 1994. The results are published by Energiateollisuus Ry (ET), the Association of Finnish Energy Industries.
The survey studied Finnish public opinion on energy policy issues. The data are part of an extensive survey series launched in 1983. The respondents' conceptions of various energy issues, their evaluations, opinions, beliefs, assessments, attitudes and knowledge about them were studied by presenting several statements about energy production. The respondents were also asked in what direction should energy production be developed in Finland and how important they thought the various factors connected with energy production to be (e.g. price, low pollution, availability, degree of domestic added value, safety and secureness of production). Moreover, the respondents were asked which would be the better alternative, nuclear power or coal, and for which goals society should appropriate funds. In conclusion, they were asked how interested they were in energy matters and how reliable they thought various actors to be as disseminators of information on energy issues.
Background variables included the respondent's gender, age, size of municipality of residence, province of residence, occupation, education, and political orientation.
Random sample. 3,750 persons were randomly chosen into the sample from the population register. The respondents were aged between 15 and 70 years. The target group consisted of six separate samples. The whole country was represented by a sample of 2,500 persons. Also included in the sample were two communities with a nuclear plant, Loviisa (250 persons) and Eurajoki (250 persons). A separate sample of equal size was gathered also among the inhabitants of Kuhmo, Pori, and Sievi. The total response rate was 54.4 %.
The response rate varied from sample to sample. 53.8 % of the whole country's target group responded, 59.6 % of those living in Loviisa, 50.8 % of those living in Eurajoki, 56.0 % of those who lived in Kuhmo, 58.8 % of those who lived in Sievi, and 52.8 % of those in Pori. After the original questionnaires had been mailed, the respondents were sent two reminders.